Reports about pesticides and fluoride in tea have named a number of popular tea brands, including Allegro, Lipton, Bigelow, Yogi, Republic of Tea, Tetley, and Teavana. According to these reports, some of their products were found to contain residues of pesticides and/or noticeable amounts of fluoride.
Fluoride occurs naturally in soil and water, and the tea plant absorbs it from the ground as it grows. Small amounts are not a concern, but a very high intake over many years is not desirable.
The levels reported in some inexpensive teas were high enough to draw attention. In other words, the quality of the tea you buy matters, especially if you drink several cups every day.
Inexpensive Tea May Come With Pesticides and Fluoride
Tea leaves are usually not washed before the drying process starts, so non-organic teas may come with pesticide residues. According to some reports, certain tea brands, including brands that describe their products as free of pesticides, contained residues above the limits set by authorities in the EU and the US.
A scientific study published in the journal Food Research International concluded that more affordable tea brands tend to contain more fluoride. For people who drink a lot of tea every day over many years, a high fluoride intake may affect the bones and teeth.
As a matter of fact, some of these cheap teas were reported to come with about 7 ppm (parts per million) of fluoride, while the limit often quoted for drinking water is 4 ppm. Fluoride that is deposited in the bones stays there for a long time, and the body needs years to clear it naturally.
Why Does Tea Include Fluoride?
While they grow, tea plants store fluoride in their leaves. In other words, the old leaves come with the highest level of fluoride. Low-quality and cheap teas usually contain old leaves, which include higher levels of fluoride compared to young leaves. In addition, these inexpensive teas include small, broken leaves, and they tend to have more fluoride.
Is Decaffeinated Tea Different?
No. According to the same reports, this specific type of tea had even higher levels of fluoride compared to regular, caffeinated tea.
Is There Anything We Can Do, or Should We Avoid Drinking Tea?
There is no need to give up tea. For starters, focus on purchasing tea made of loose leaves and brew the tea from scratch. There is no doubt that bagged tea is convenient and makes preparation simpler, but, as we already said, bagged tea often comes with lower-quality leaves and may contain higher fluoride levels.
- Use white tea, because it is made from young leaves and comes with low levels of fluoride.
- Purchase organic tea. This tea is grown with cultivation methods that are more refined and eco-friendly. Some manufacturers use purified water during this process.
Keep in mind that this is only basic information, and you can look for independent test results to find out which brands contain the least and the most fluoride in their teas. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends who love drinking tea.
Via New Daily
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.